With so many types of displays offered in the market today, it can be confusing for buyers and viewers to choose a specific screen to trust. It’s the same way when it comes to LED vs OLED and so if you want a quick way to know how to choose the right screen, here’s a quick guide. 

Summary of Differences: LED vs OLED

There’s a clear difference between the two displays–LEDs and OLEDs. Even when they seem alike, you can pinpoint where they are different from each other without diving deep into their respective complex technologies. Here is a summary of their differences in terms of several aspects: 

Differences	LED Displays	OLED Displays
Light Emission	Light-emitting layer	Monochromatic light emission
Screen Structure/Thickness	More complex and thick structure with multiple layers	Simpler and thinner structure
Display Effects	Okay color gamut	Conspicuous color gamut
Service Life	Better service life free from burn-ins	Prone to screen burn-ins

One of the clear differences between LED vs OLED is the letter “O,” which means organic. However, that’s not enough to distinguish one from the other. So let’s look deeper into all these differences and their effects on the performance of the devices. 

LED vs OLED: Light Emission

Light emission is an integral part of both LED and OLED displays however, both have different ways to achieve this process. LED devotes an entire layer to light emission. The process involves the use of red LEDs, along with an LCD backlight layer to deflect the lighting from the other layer. 

OLEDs operate differently and do not have a layer for light emission. However, each of its organic semiconductors is capable of emitting monochromatic light. This allows more flexibility and control in lighting. It also means that the lighting does not need further processing and can directly be shown. 

LED vs OLED: Screen Structure/Thickness

The thickness and general structure of the panels are some of the clear differences between the two. LED displays are significantly thicker than OLED screens. The former has a more complex construction with several necessary layers for the device to function. The latter, on the other hand, is thinner because it doesn’t need the added backlight layer that LED screens need. 

OLEDs are in fact a third thinner than standard LED displays, which makes them look more elegant, seamless, and aesthetically pleasing in style. Because of this thin structure, some OLED panels can also be bent, opening up so many possibilities for the shape and size of an ensemble. 

LED vs OLED: Display Effects

The display effects shown on LED vs OLED are also varied. LED screens are limited in the color gamut reach of its NTSC. While OLEDs can maximize it fully up to 100%, LED displays are only about 72%. Despite this maximum color gamut though, OLED displays may experience problems in color cast and temperature. 

LED vs OLED: Service Life

LED displays are more advantageous in terms of service life since they can last for a longer time. Despite the excelling viewing experience and quality images that OLED screens provide, their one weakness is the burn-in effect. OLED screens tend to experience burn-in once you’ve been using them for quite some time, limiting your years of usage and increasing possible maintenance fees to worry about.  

LED vs OLED: Brightness

Here is a summary of brightness when checking out LED displays and OLED screens. 

Types of Displays	Brightness
OLED Displays	600 nits
Indoor LED Screens	1,000 nits
Outdoor LED Screens	5,000 nits

When discussing the brightness of LED and OLED displays, both rely heavily on the amount of electricity that runs through the device. The higher the current, the higher the brightness. For OLED displays, the standard current is set at 600 nits while indoor and outdoor LED screens often have 1,000 and 5,000 nits respectively. 

While you can adjust the brightness of OLED screens based on the electricity, you need to know the maximum amount of current that your OLED display can take. If you don’t consider this, the lifespan of your display will lessen. It’s one of the reasons why LED screens win in terms of brightness. 

LED vs OLED: Friendly to the Eyes

Displays always take a toll on the eyes. LED and OLED displays are on the same side in terms of their eye-friendliness. However, they can be compared to LCD displays. 

Aspects Affecting Eyes	LED/OLED Displays	LCD Displays
Blue Light	Depends on frequency	Better in dark light
Splash Effect	Disadvantaged	Better

Let’s dive deeper into the effects of these two display aspects that often affect the eyes. 

Blue Light 

Displays like LED, OLED, and LCD screens produce blue light and this specific light can damage the eyes. The key to avoiding or reducing blue light damage in your eyes is to choose the screens with lower brightness. LCD has low brightness compared to LED and OLED screens, which give it an edge compared to the two types of displays. 

The brightness of OLEDs can be changed and adjusted based on the frequency of the light they emit. This means that when you set it to have high frequency and brightness, you’re also setting more damage to your eyes. 

Splash Effect

OLED displays take pride in the strobe that helps the display to seamlessly show fast actions on the screen free from blurs. The downside with this magnificent technology is that because it’s so fast, it wears down and irritates your eyes. 

Using this element alone, you can say that LCD can be more advantageous in terms of the strobe effect. 

LED vs OLED: Which should you buy?

The decision on buying LED vs OLED is entirely up to you but we can help you with the process by giving you some things you can consider–like their operations. 

LED Operations

LED displays are not standalone and can only function with the addition of a light source. The process is definitely more complex just for the LED screens to emit lighting. 

In 1962, LED displays first made their appearance through their red-colored lighting. From then on, the technology continues to change and evolve to the current LED technology used today, which includes more than just the red light but an entire spectrum of colors. Some of the clear uses of LEDs are in the following:

• Traffic and Vehicle lights
• Indoor and outdoor LED screens
• Lighting fixtures

OLED Operations

To compared LED vs OLED, looking into the operation of OLEDs can make a significant discovery. This type of display uses organic semiconductors to emit light on its own. This specific difference gives birth to several characteristics that made it better than other displays, including the following:

• Light and slim construction
• Bending feature
• Performs strongly even as it ages (though burn-in effects may set in)

With all of these features, OLED displays may be used in the following devices:

• Digital cameras
• ATM machines
• Mobile phones
• Photocopiers
• Computers and laptops

Conclusion

When comparing LED vs OLED, it’s easy to look at the major differences one has over the other. Some of the basic aspects you can consider to make a better decision include brightness, thickness, display effects, lifespan, and their effects on the eyes of the users. Simply weigh LED vs OLED displays and match their characteristics to your screen needs and requirements.